US Congress: 1000 Men Supporting the Violence Against Women Act

Because people of all genders should support the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the work VAWA supports. But many men consider this to be a “woman’s issue.” We are asking people of all genders to sign this petition, but men are especially urged to do so.

Because we men are sons, fathers, brothers and intimate partners of girls and women. Most men are close to at least three women - since statistically one of them will be victimized by violence, it's our job to speak out against violence. It's our job to hold all men accountable for our violence, and work towards a culture of peace and respect. It’s our job to support VAWA reauthorization.

Because every twelve seconds in the United States, a man abuses the woman he has promised to love. Every two minutes in the US, a man rapes a woman – it’s usually a woman he knows. Men perpetrate most violence against women - sexual violence, strangulation, murder, stalking, domestic violence, etc. But most men don’t rape, and most of us don’t abuse. Yet we remain silent, and consider these issues “women’s issues.” It’s long past time for that to change. Since our (male) gender is responsible for most of the perpetration, we should be more active in supporting initiatives such as VAWA to end it.

Because VAWA helps male victims. The primary author of this petition has worked at domestic violence programs and rape crisis centers – all of which help male victims (even the centers with “Women” in their title). VAWA has always helped men, whether heterosexual or gay, bisexual or transgender. The proposed VAWA reauthorization extends protection and resources to all victims, including those in the LGBTQ communities, Native Americans and undocumented immigrants. (For more information about VAWA, go to http://www.4vawa.org.)

Because the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Break the Cycle, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, NOW, the Feminist Majority and many others support VAWA reauthorization. Because the White Ribbon Campaign, Men Can Stop Rape, A Call to Men, Men Stopping Violence, the National Organization for Men Against Sexism and many others support VAWA reauthorization. Because the growing multicultural, multiracial movement of male “aspiring allies” support VAWA reauthorization. We are proud to join that movement, and proud to sign this petition supporting VAWA.

Ben Atherton-Zeman performs a one-man, anti-violence play “Voices of Men” http://www.voicesofmen.org. He performs on campuses and in communities throughout the year.

I just signed the following petition addressed to: The United States Congress.

----------------10,000 Men Supporting the Violence Against Women Act

Because people of all genders should support the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the work VAWA supports. But many men consider this to be a “woman’s issue.” We are asking people of all genders to sign this petition, but men are especially urged to do so.

Because we men are sons, fathers, brothers and intimate partners of girls and women. Most men are close to at least three women - since statistically one of them will be victimized by violence, it's our job to speak out against violence. It's our job to hold all men accountable for our violence, and work towards a culture of peace and respect. It’s our job to support VAWA reauthorization.

Because every twelve seconds in the United States, a man abuses the woman he has promised to love. Every two minutes in the US, a man rapes a woman – it’s usually a woman he knows. Men perpetrate most violence against women - sexual violence, strangulation, murder, stalking, domestic violence, etc. But most men don’t rape, and most of us don’t abuse. Yet we remain silent, and consider these issues “women’s issues.” It’s long past time for that to change. Since our (male) gender is responsible for most of the perpetration, we should be more active in supporting initiatives such as VAWA to end it.

Because VAWA helps male victims. The primary author of this petition has worked at domestic violence programs and rape crisis centers – all of which help male victims (even the centers with “Women” in their title). VAWA has always helped men, whether heterosexual or gay, bisexual or transgender. The proposed VAWA reauthorization extends protection and resources to all victims, including those in the LGBTQ communities, Native Americans and undocumented immigrants. (For more information about VAWA, go to http://www.4vawa.org.)

Because the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Break the Cycle, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, NOW, the Feminist Majority and many others support VAWA reauthorization. Because the White Ribbon Campaign, Men Can Stop Rape, A Call to Men, Men Stopping Violence, the National Organization for Men Against Sexism and many others support VAWA reauthorization. Because the growing multicultural, multiracial movement of male “aspiring allies” support VAWA reauthorization. We are proud to join that movement, and proud to sign this petition supporting VAWA.

Ben Atherton-Zeman performs a one-man, anti-violence play “Voices of Men” http://www.voicesofmen.org. He performs on campuses and in communities during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and throughout the year. ----------------